Overseas help

AN expert review of the Fiji Rugby Union coaching structure has recommended that an expatriate should be brought in to guide the Flying Fijians to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.

Former Wallaby forward David Nucifora conducted a review on the campaign plans and selection procedure of our national teams for the international tournaments that it took part in last year.

He then presented his review with recommendations to the International Rugby Board.

With the Vodafone Fiji 15s without a coach following the dismissal of Inoke Male, Nucifora has indicated a foreigner would be the best fix for the national team.

"Fiji rugby will not close the gap on the rest of the world in XV's rugby and may even face decline in the game of 7s from their existing position as one of the world powers if the standard of coaching is not improved," he said in the report he prepared last year.

"It will not be achieved without foreign intervention but the structure must be set and the people employed who have the goal of handling these responsibilities back to Fiji rugby to be self sufficient by the 2019 RWC."

FRU late last year employed former England 7s coach Ben Ryan to take over the Vodafone Fiji 7s side.

Ryan has achieved mixed result with the national side in the HSBC Sevens World Series since, including the first ever Dubai 7s win in November last year.

Fiji National Sports Commission, which granted funds to assist FRU with Ryan's salary, has also allocated money for an overseas national 15s coach.

FRU is yet to confirm whether they would appoint an overseas mentor but in a statement earlier said they would advertise the position "locally and internationally".

Meanwhile Nucifora in his report also said the long term planning of a national coach needed to ensure that the pathway model for development was going to supply the right types of players to him in a timely fashion.

"The implementation of a style of rugby that is based on the head coach's philosophy and strategy around how the game should be played is non-negotiable for success."